Priest Basil Gbuzuo released in Nigeria

The Archdiocese of Onitsha (Nigeria) announced the release of Fr. Basil Gbuzuo, who had been kidnapped on May 15, becoming the fourth Nigerian priest to be kidnapped so far in 2024.

According to the Vatican agency Fidesthe archdiocese reported that Father Gbuzuo “was abandoned by his kidnappers on May 23, around midnight, in a place near Ufuma.”

“With hearts full of joy and gratitude to God, we announce the release of Father Basil Gbuzuo,” said the local Church.

In a statement signed by the archdiocesan chancellor, Fr. Prudentius Aroh, it explains that the priest was welcomed in the church of the Holy Cross of Ufuma, where he went as soon as he was released.

“We are grateful to the parish priest of Holy Cross Parish, Ufuma, Fr. Alex Ezema, who happily welcomed Fr. Gbuzuo into his home when he knocked on the door at midnight” and “provided him with basic needs and took good care of him” , indicates the text.

The statement added that Father Gbuzuo “is full of gratitude and appreciation for the prayerful solidarity” of the faithful.

The Archdiocese of Onitsha also thanks “the Blessed Virgin Mary for her powerful intervention,” and the authorities of the Nigerian state of Anambra for working to achieve the freedom of the priest.

For his part, the Anambra State Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said that the priest regained his freedom “thanks to the strenuous efforts of the joint security team of the Anambra State government and well-meaning citizens.”

In that sense, he warned criminal gangs that “the full weight of the law will fall on all those people who directly or indirectly dedicate themselves to orchestrating criminal activities”; Therefore, he called on them to “take advantage of the ways that the State offers to train, rehabilitate and reintegrate into society.”